Category Books

Death, Burial, and Afterlife in the Biblical World: How the Israelites and Their Neighbors Treated the Dead »

Authors: Rachel S. Hallote
ISBN-13: 9781566634014, ISBN-10: 1566634016
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Dee, Ivan R. Publisher
Date Published: November 2001
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Rachel S. Hallote

Book Synopsis

Based upon archaeological evidence, Hallote (Jewish studies, Purchase College, SUNY) examines cultural practices and beliefs relating to the dead in ancient Israel. She contends that despite the Mosaic prohibition against the worship of any god but Yahweh, a Cult of the Dead persisted for centuries among the common people. She further argues that evidence from burial sites shows that the various ancient religions in the land of the Bible had many similarities with one another.

Annotation © Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Choice

Hallote presents a compelling picture of death and dying in ancient Israel...[it] definitely deserves a place in...academic libraries.

	Preface	5
	Acknowledgments	9
	Introduction	11
1	Death in the Biblical World	27
2	The Cult of the Dead in Ancient Israel	54
3	A History of Death in the Land of the Bible	69
4	The Death Customs and Beliefs of Israel's Neighbors	102
5	The Biblical Origins of Hell and the Devil	123
6	Resurrection and Lack of Death in the Bible	136
7	Death in Rabbinic Judaism	150
8	Jewish Death in the Modern World	169
9	A History of Mortuary Theory	180
10	The Politics of Death in Israel	194
	Afterword	208
	Appendix	210
	Notes	213
	Bibliography	223
	Index	228